NURS 201 | Medical-Surgical Nursing – Promoting Wellness | Week 2
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a
pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3- of 30 mEq/L. How should the nurse
interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), and the HCO3- is
elevated, indicating that the kidneys are attempting to compensate but have not yet
returned the pH to the normal range.
2. Which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes is most characteristic
of a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Presence of U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves, widened
QRS complexes, and potentially a loss of P waves. U waves and ST depression are
associated with hypokalemia.
,3. During the intraoperative phase, a patient develops muscle rigidity, a rapid
rise in body temperature, and a skyrocketing end-tidal CO2. Which medication
should the nurse prepare to administer immediately?
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Succinylcholine
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
Rationale: These are classic signs of malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthetic
complication. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat this
condition.
4. A patient who has undergone a total thyroidectomy is at risk for
hypocalcemia. Which assessment finding would require immediate notification
of the healthcare provider?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Numbness and tingling in the extremities and around the mouth
D. Bradycardia and hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Paresthesia (numbness/tingling) is an early sign of hypocalcemia, which can
progress to tetany and laryngospasm, representing a surgical emergency after thyroid
surgery.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving 3% sodium chloride IV for severe
hyponatremia. What is the priority nursing assessment to prevent complications
of this therapy?
A. Monitoring for signs of fluid volume deficit
B. Assessing for tenting of the skin
C. Hourly lung sounds and neurological status checks
D. Checking the urine output for ketones
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertonic solutions like 3% NaCl can cause rapid fluid shifts, leading to
cerebral edema or pulmonary edema (fluid overload). Frequent neuro and respiratory
assessments are vital.
6. A patient has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which of the following IV
fluids is the most appropriate for the nurse to anticipate being ordered?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. Ringer’s Lactate
C. 3% Sodium Chloride
D. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: A
Rationale: A sodium level of 152 indicates hypernatremia. Treatment involves
administering a hypotonic solution like 0.45% NaCl to dilute the extracellular sodium and
rehydrate cells.
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a
pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3- of 30 mEq/L. How should the nurse
interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), and the HCO3- is
elevated, indicating that the kidneys are attempting to compensate but have not yet
returned the pH to the normal range.
2. Which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) changes is most characteristic
of a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Presence of U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves, widened
QRS complexes, and potentially a loss of P waves. U waves and ST depression are
associated with hypokalemia.
,3. During the intraoperative phase, a patient develops muscle rigidity, a rapid
rise in body temperature, and a skyrocketing end-tidal CO2. Which medication
should the nurse prepare to administer immediately?
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Succinylcholine
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
Rationale: These are classic signs of malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthetic
complication. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat this
condition.
4. A patient who has undergone a total thyroidectomy is at risk for
hypocalcemia. Which assessment finding would require immediate notification
of the healthcare provider?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Numbness and tingling in the extremities and around the mouth
D. Bradycardia and hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Paresthesia (numbness/tingling) is an early sign of hypocalcemia, which can
progress to tetany and laryngospasm, representing a surgical emergency after thyroid
surgery.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving 3% sodium chloride IV for severe
hyponatremia. What is the priority nursing assessment to prevent complications
of this therapy?
A. Monitoring for signs of fluid volume deficit
B. Assessing for tenting of the skin
C. Hourly lung sounds and neurological status checks
D. Checking the urine output for ketones
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertonic solutions like 3% NaCl can cause rapid fluid shifts, leading to
cerebral edema or pulmonary edema (fluid overload). Frequent neuro and respiratory
assessments are vital.
6. A patient has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which of the following IV
fluids is the most appropriate for the nurse to anticipate being ordered?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. Ringer’s Lactate
C. 3% Sodium Chloride
D. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: A
Rationale: A sodium level of 152 indicates hypernatremia. Treatment involves
administering a hypotonic solution like 0.45% NaCl to dilute the extracellular sodium and
rehydrate cells.
